A whole year had passed, and life for Cosimo changed. Federico had only  But then, there was more decorations being thrown up. He had continued to read his books. 

There was a servant coming towards him. His governess had insisted that he come with her. 

“You have to be presentable, padroncino.” Her eyes were looking at him. 

It was a much better, though he had insisted upon wearing mostly black this past year. He still mourned his mother, and the loss was clear in his life. He always enjoyed his time with her, but with only his father, it became easier. 

Now, he enjoyed his time with his sisters. Antonia, an eight year old, in a gown. 

Their aunt, a woman with her long blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked at them, cooly. 

“My brother is expecting you, including Renata, to be present,” she told them. 

Renata never saw any guests, as she was still too young. Not that they were taken to entertain any guests. His father never let them see more than close friends and family. 

He looked in bewilderment. Before there had been a carriage coming into their house. Far grander than what he had ever seen. 

“That’s big.” Renata looked in wonder. 

“Your father is inside there.” 

He didn’t have a good feeling. Upon a closer sight, he could now see why. 

He wasn’t alone, Cosimo in his towering stature, and his clean-shaven face. A woman with light blonde hair followed him, unlike the brown that he remembered his mother had. 

Her eyes were blue, like his mother, but this was much colder. Renata hid behind him when he saw her. Antonia less so, but still held onto his hand for comfort. 

He would be the first one to face her. 

Giulia looked at them, reassuring them. “Do not worry.” 

He had gotten used to her, appreciating her presence now more than ever. 

He brought her forward, with him at his arm. The same way he remembered how his mother used to be. 

“This is my son, Cosimo, and my daughters, Antonia and Renata.” He showed them, but showing their distance to her. 

But he bridged the gap. “This is my wife, Isabella and your new mother.” 

She would never replace the mother in his eyes, Cosimo vowed. She was their stepmother. 

She stepped forward, lowering herself to them. They finely made her gown, with bits of a bright yellow Cosimo could scarcely stare at. 

His mother wore a light red shade often, but it was different. 

Antonia curtsied to her, with politeness and courtesy, curious and willing, and a smile. She returned it, holding her hand. 

“She’s a sweet child.” Antonia beckoned for her sister to join her. 

Renata had joined her then, before grabbing her skirts. 

“Be careful, before you ruin this gown.” She lifted it. 

Renata, in her own curiosity had done it, now almost reduced to tears. Her father gave her a glare, hating to see tears, and keen to slap her if she let a drop show in public. 

“How did you raise her?” She asked at her husband. 

“She’s a child, and young, too. She could not.” Giulia had defended them. 

His father, also named Cosimo, had given a shrug. “Her mother must have spoiled her.” 

Cosimo clenched his fists. 

Giulia had looked at Renata with soothing eyes. 

“Children need patience, brother, you cannot rush them.” 

“They should know discipline and to obey me. Well-behaved, that’s all. Renata should not have stepped out of line.” 

“She’s seen four years, and still unaware of manners.” Giulia had looked. “If you insist that their mother spoiled her, include me then.” 

Cosimo looked. Their aunt had not been sweet on them, but she had always watched with patience and looked after them. Especially in the last year. 

The woman had looked on, not showing a sign of anything else. 

“Perhaps, but not now.” He glared at her. 

“Of course, I would suppose that since you remarried. I would be no longer needed.” 

“Yes, you would be. But we will have words later.” 

Giulia had left the room with a pitying look for them. 

“Cosimo,” he looked.

Cosimo needed to greet her like his mother. He went forward, kissing her hand, but little else. 

“I expect you to treat her as his mother.” 

“It’s fine as it is.” Isabella looked at them, before going past. There was barely a smile for each of them. 

They had gone past. 

Their governess, a woman named Ana, had looked as she left. 

Renata burst into tears now, having treated her as she would her mother, asking for love. Ana had embraced her, to comfort her. 

Antonia turned to comforting her too, and being the one who started the process, and politely introduced and perhaps curious. 

It was all gone now. Cosimo looked. Perhaps he had hopes, but he did not now.